5 Reasons Why You Can Successfully Homeschool Your Children

I see you there, lurking quietly at night. Secretly reading blogs and articles about homeschooling. Quietly joining private homeschool groups online. And dutifully investing hours into figuring out homeschool laws, learning styles, different philosophies, and curriculum options.

Yet even with all of that research, you are still gripped with fear. You go to bed at night convinced this is right only to wake and find last nights enthusiasm replaced with this mornings doubt. Convinced it’s just a dream, a foolish notation that you could ever homeschool your children, you simply go about your day as usual, afraid to rock the educational boat and follow your heart.

A Little Pep Talk

I see you and I know you. In fact, if I’m being totally honest, at one point I was you. Staying up late finding all of the confidence and support I needed only to ship my older kids off to public school every morning. I was convinced that while homeschooling looked doable in theory that I would somehow mess it up and ruin the respective futures of my four children.

During the day, I bought into the lie that I had to be super patient, formally trained, and ridiculously creative to homeschool. I worried about things like extra-curricular activities, sports, and even going to the grocery store. I convinced myself that homeschooling was too expensive and a luxury best afforded to families with plenty of disposable income.

Most of all, I feared ridicule, failure, and a disastrous future for all involved.

Sound familiar?

One day I took the plunge, though. I bottled up all of my courage and we started the process. I met with my children’s teachers and the school principal to find out the answers to some of my questions. Met with other homeschoolers I knew in the area to ask for guidance and assistance. Verified laws and double checked attendance and reporting requirements.

Then the day came and it was time. Instead of waking up and sending my kids hurriedly out the door, I instead ushered them to the kitchen table. A table covered with books and binders, charts and calculators, pens and pencils. A table that was set for a day of learning.

Now I’d love to tell you that each and every day since then has gone perfectly well. That we began our homeschooling journey and haven’t looked back… but I’d be lying. We’ve had our ups and downs, and our homeschooling path looks more like a GPS that’s constantly saying “recalculating.” But through it all, I’ve learned that with a little dedication, some hard work, and an endless supply of love for your children you can totally homeschool – successfully!

My Top 5 Reasons You Can Homeschool

1. No One Loves Your Children More Than You Do

That’s right, Momma, no one. No one can comfort them, guide them, and care for them better than you do. Better than you have so far. Or better than you will in their future. No one else out there, even the most dedicated and caring of teacher.

2. No One Knows Your Children Better Than You Do

No one else can remember them taking those first hesitant steps. No one else fully understands their favorite lovey. And no else can fully understand their current obsession with XYZ.

And it’s knowing those things, whether it’s why they use a particular phrase repeatedly (because it’s used by a beloved cousin) or have to write with a perfectly sharpened pencil (just like Dad), that will help you teach them better. Understanding that they want to learn all about airplanes because a family member just joined the Air Force, or study skyscrapers before a trip to the city, that will guide you.

Knowing them as deeply as you do will aid you when one afternoon they’d rather read the day away (maybe a beloved pet is missing) or understand when they just can’t do one more fraction (because math just isn’t their strongest subject, yet) and a break is what’s best.

3. No One Wants To See Your Child Succeed More Than You Do

Yes, professional educators do want to see their students succeed – I think we both can agree on that. But at the end of the day, you have more invested in your child succeeding than anyone else ever will.

And just like you cheered them on when they took those first wobbly steps, held your breath while they climbed to the top of the slide by themselves for the first time, and encouraged them to keep trying when that 2-wheeled bike just refused to stay upright, you will do the same with spelling lists, math facts, and history dates. When the curriculum isn’t working, you will find a reason why. When the lesson isn’t sticking, you will research learning challenges. And when your child is feeling down and frustrated, you will cancel formal learning for the rest of the day to venture to the park, the beach, or out for ice cream.

You will do everything you can to ensure your child’s dreams come true not because you want life to be easy for them, but because you are also deeply invested in the life of this child.

4. Homeschooling Is Simply A Natural Extension Of Parenting

Truly. Think back over the life of your child. When brought that bundle of a baby home, wrapped warm and safe in car seats and blankets, they were 100% totally and completely dependent on you for everything. Over the years you taught this child how to walk and talk and use the toilet. You taught them about your hobbies and interests while they joined in with you. You encouraged them to try new things, read them stories, and explained what the “big words” meant.

Since they could ask questions, you worked to explain the answers in ways they could understand. And when you didn’t know the answer, you looked for one together.

This is the same child you taught to ride a bike, tie their shoes, and even read.

Even when you didn’t know how to teach them. Even when you didn’t think you were, you were homeschooling all along. And you were doing it wonderfully.

5. Homeschooling Isn’t Really That Hard

Before you run for that big X in the corner, hear me out here.

If you sit down and list out everything your child needs to know, wants to know, and you want to teach them over the next 12 years you are going to lose your mind. This list will be pages long and contain enough information to make even the most seasoned homeschoolers contemplate contacting their local superintendent’s office.

However, if you start with the basics. Start with reading, writing, and arithmetic, and then toss in a little bit of history and science, you will be well on your way. Start with a story, some copywork, and a math worksheet. Add in a nature walk to look for insects and different trees. Mingle in some local history or a trip to a museum. Add in a dash of something your child is ridiculously interested… and before you know it you will have the building blocks for a successful homeschool year.

Yes, there is some work involved. And yes, there will be lessons that are challenging for both of you. But if you focus on the child, and ignore all the well-meaning but wrong naysayers, and simply keep going you will find what works for you, for your home, and for your child.

And when that no longer works, you will again find a new system because you love that child, because you know that child, because you are invested in that child, and because as a Mom, there is nothing you won’t do for that child.

Ready to start homeschooling, but unsure where to start?

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